So, the unrest deep within our soul is the conscience groaning and the Bible identifies this unrest as sin committed against God but it is the Holy Spirit who bears witness to Jesus as the only rest for our restless soul. If we refuse to acknowledge the conscience we are willfully ignorant (because the knowledge is internal). If we deny the Bible’s authority we are willfully disobedient (because God has spoken). But if we deny the Holy Spirit we are committing blasphemy. The Bible identifies this as the only unpardonable sin……..
To deny that the conscience is from God is foolish, but it can be forgiven. To deny that God’s word is Truth is irresponsibly sinful, but again, it can be forgiven. However, denying that Jesus Christ is the Savior and only hope of Salvation is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This carries maximum punishment, eternal separation from God.
Therefore, before true conviction of sin (an absolute about face turning from) is felt, the Spirit convinces of the absolute necessity of accepting Jesus Christ as the One and only sin substitute. If anyone is convinced that good works and deeds in the flesh can bring about salvation, true conviction has not been understood or obtained. In the words of D.L. Moody, man must recognize “the heinousness of his sins“, without this, conviction hasn’t taken hold.
When true conviction sets in we, like Peter’s hearers, will be able to do nothing except exclaim, “What shall we do to be saved?”
Have you said that?
